Dual-position radio device with light source

ABSTRACT

A wall-mountable and desk-mountable radio device comprising a base ( 20 ) and a radio unit ( 10 ), inside of which radio unit is an antenna integrated on a circuit board ( 30 ) and a group of indicator lamps ( 32 ). The cover of the radio unit is provided with first openings ( 14 ), and the base comprises corresponding photoconductors ( 24 ), which narrowly fit into the first openings ( 14 ). The cover of the radio unit is also provided with one or more second holes ( 18 ), into which the photoconductors ( 24 ) fit narrowly. The indicator lamps ( 32 ) are arranged at the first openings ( 14 ). The second openings ( 18 ) are arranged so that, threaded therein, the photoconductors ( 24 ) are placed above the first openings ( 14 ), and so the photoconductors ( 24 ) receive the indicator lights in both desk and wall installations. The photoconductors are provided with a bevelled surface ( 26 ) for turning the indicator light obliquely downward in wall installation and obliquely upward, towards the eyes of the user, in desk installation.

This is a U.S. National Phase Application Under 35 USC 371 andapplicants herewith claim the benefit of priority of PCT/FI00/01137filed Dec. 21, 2000, which was published Under PCT Article 21(2) inEnglish.

The present invention relates to radio devices, particularlydual-position radio devices.

Modern homes may have a plurality of various radio devices, such asmobile stations, wireless telephones, and as a newcorner, radio accesspoint devices constituting a wireless Internet radio interface. Basestations and radio access point devices of wireless telephones arerelatively permanently mountable in a given location. They are typicallymountable in a vertical position on a wall or in a horizontal positionon a desk.

For arranging a better radio coverage, the base stations of wirelesstelephones often comprise a turnable and extractable telescopic antenna,which is turnable to an upright position irrespective of the position ofthe base station. A telescopic antenna is also previously known to mostusers. However, a telescopic antenna is susceptible to bending andbreaking, and soldered joints are often made manually during theassembly of the antenna. A telescopic antenna also comprises movingparts. A telescopic antenna extending from a base station may complicatethe placement of the base station in an otherwise suitable location. Inthis case the consumer who acquired the wireless telephone easily leavesthe antenna against the side of the base station, whereby the audibilitynaturally somewhat deteriorates. Wireless telephones often usefrequencies below 50 MHz, whereby the audibility may remain reasonableirrespective of the wrong position of the antenna. A radio signal below50 MHz still ‘bends’ relatively well compared with for example radioaccess point devices operating at a frequency exceeding 2,000 MHz.

An antenna provided on the circuit board of a device is considerablymore inexpensive than a telescopic antenna and can be made fullyautomatically, i.e. it is suitable for mass production. An antennaprovided on a circuit board is also covered inside a device. On theother hand, mounting the device on a wall or a desk causes the antennato end up in various positions, whereby the radiation field generated bythe antenna also turns in different directions. The disadvantage mayprevent the use of directional antennas in devices mountable on wallsand desks.

New low power radio frequency systems (LPRF) have been suggested as aprovider of a communication connection for several LPRF devices in itsvicinity. Bluetooth technology is an example of LPRF. Bluetooth is awidely known technology operating at a free frequency range in thedomain of 2.45 GHz. This frequency band is usable worldwide and therange of systems operating at the band is typically 10 metres at normalpower. Bluetooth can be applied to various types of devices to allowthem to communicate with other devices.

A micro-cell cellular, mainly indoor, network can be implemented forBluetooth devices. Such a network comprises some Bluetooth base stationsand a host server that controls the base stations. Since the network isintended for home and office use, it has to be economic and easilyinstallable. Bluetooth base stations should preferably be freelyplaceable on desks, shelves or walls, for example.

The above devices often comprise indicator lamps. The indicator lampsare typically LED lights (Light Emitting Diode), for which openings areprovided in a cover of the base station and which protrude to someextent from their openings allowing the user to see the light emittedfrom the LED. However, the procedure has drawbacks: a mechanicalfastening for the LEDs has to be arranged inside the device in thevicinity of the outer cover of the device, and electricity has to beconducted to them for their use. The most inexpensive way is to solderthe LEDs onto a circuit board arranged close to the outer cover of thedevice. However, this is not always possible, particularly whenaesthetic considerations are taken into account in the design of thecover of the device and technical restrictions are to be avoided.Aligning the LEDs to their openings may also require special carefulnessin the assembly, and involves a risk of failure. If the LED is notaligned with the opening, it easily bends under the cover and in theworst case its legs may cause a short circuit. Openings provided forLEDs may also be perceived as a sign of old-fashioned technology. Thefinish of a device is indeed often improved by gluing a transparentplastic plate onto the openings, rendering the outer surface of thedevice uniform. This also facilitates cleaning of the device, since itssurface does not comprise narrow sharp-edged recesses that easilyattract dirt and dust. On the other hand, a recess must be provided inthe cover for said transparent plastic plate, and the plastic plate hasto be fastened to the recess (for example by gluing). This increases thenumber of working steps that require accuracy and in which failure mayruin the appearance of the device and render it unsuitable for aconsumer.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a radio device isprovided, comprising:

-   -   a body defining a space inside thereof and at least one opening;        and    -   at least one light source for emitting light, placed in said        space at the at least one opening provided in the body;        characterized in that the radio device further comprises:    -   a part to be fastened to the body;    -   at least one photoconductor fitted to the part to be fastened to        the body; and    -   that the part to be fastened to the body is fitted to be        attached to the body by means of the photoconductor so that the        photoconductor settles at said at least one opening and at least        partly outside said space.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the samephotoconductor is usable both for conducting light from the light sourceto the outside of the radio device and for fastening the part to befastened to the body. The part to be fastened to the body is preferablya support device for supporting the radio device in the desiredposition.

In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, a radio device isprovided, comprising:

-   -   a body defining a space inside thereof and at least one opening;        and    -   at least one light source for emitting light, placed at the at        least one opening provided in the body;        characterized in that the radio device further comprises:    -   a support device for supporting the body in the desired        position, the body being fitted to be fastened to the support        device at least two different angles with respect to the support        device; and    -   at least one photoconductor fitted to the support device, the        photoconductor being arranged to settle at the at least one        opening defined by the body when the support device is fastened        to the body, for conducting the light emitted by said at least        one light source via the photoconductor to the outside of the        radio device.

Preferably, said light source is an indicator lamp.

Preferably said part to be fastened to the body is fitted to be fastenedwith a quick fastener. This allows rapid fastening without tools.

The radio device of the invention is preferably installable on either ahorizontal or a vertical surface. The same indicator lamp andphotoconductor may be used to give signals to the user. Owing to thephotoconductor, the indicator lamp need not be fitted to any narrowopening in the body, but the indicator lamp is placeable loosely and thelight can be conducted into sight with the photoconductor.

Preferably the radio device also comprises at least one circuit board inthe space inside the body and that said at least one light source isinstalled on the circuit board.

The antenna of the radio device of the invention can be manufactureddirectly on the circuit board, whereby it is inexpensive and suitablefor mass production.

Preferably the photoconductor comprises an end fitted placeable in saidopening for fastening the body at a first angle to the support deviceand for receiving light to the photoconductor from the light source.

Fitting the end of the photoconductor to said opening simultaneouslyfastens the body at the first angle to the support device and places theend in the vicinity of the light source allowing the photoconductor toreceive light from the light source.

Preferably the body also comprises a fastening part, the fastening partbeing fitted to attach to the photoconductor for fastening the body tothe support device at a second angle, and the fastening part beingfitted to direct the photoconductor at said opening for receiving lightfrom the light source to the photoconductor via the opening.

The fastening part both fastens the body to the support device at thesecond angle and guides the photoconductor to the opening for receivinglight from the light source. This way light is received to thephotoconductor from the same light source irrespective of at which ofthe first and second angles the body is fastened with respect to thesupport device.

A support device allows the radio device to be preferably placed in thesame position when placed on a horizontal and a vertical surface. Thisensures that the antenna is in the correct position.

Preferably the antenna is directional so that the maximum of itsradiation pattern is substantially on the horizontal plane. Such anantenna is well suitable for use when the position of the antennaremains substantially the same irrespective of the location of the radiodevice.

Installing at least one light source directly onto a circuit board andmaking it visible through an opening in the body and a photoconductoraccording to the invention provides several advantages. Installing lightsources on a circuit board is well suitable for mass production, sincethe light sources do not have to be separately fastened to the body andwires do not have to be drawn from there to coupling points on thecircuit board. When a photoconductor is used, said at least one openingserves to let out light from the light source to the photoconductor, butthe light source does not have to be flush with the opening.Accordingly, alignment of the light sources is not nearly as critical asif they were placed in confined openings in the cover of the body.

Preferably a recess is provided in the body for the photoconductor sothat the photoconductor settles substantially flush with the surface ofthe body at least when the radio device is placed on either a horizontalor a vertical surface. This way a neat and presentable appearance isobtained for the radio device, and the outer surface of the radio deviceis easy to keep clean. Preferably the side view of the photoconductor isconical such that at least one indicator light of the radio deviceslopes downwards in a wall installation and upwards in a deskinstallation.

The support device is preferably made from a transparent material, suchas plastic or glass, so that the photoconductor constitutes anintegrated part of the support device.

Preferably the body is fitted to be detachably attachable to the supportdevice. Preferably the body is fitted to be fastened with a frictionjoint. Preferably the support device comprises a number of protrudingphotoconductors, and the body comprises corresponding cavities forfastening the support device to the body. This allows a home user, forexample, to easily couple the support device to the body of the radiodevice at the desired angle for placement on a horizontal or verticalsurface. The support device preferably comprises grooves fitted to ascrew head for fastening the support device to a wall.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a method is providedfor displaying light with a radio device comprising a body defining aspace inside thereof and at least one opening, the method comprising thesteps of:

-   -   fastening to the body a part to be fastened to the body and        comprising a photoconductor so that the photoconductor settles        at said at least one opening and at least partly outside said        space;    -   emitting light in said space towards said at least one opening;        conducting said light via at least one photoconductor to the        outside of the radio device; and    -   using the photoconductor for fastening to the body the part to        be fastened to the body.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for displaying light with a radio device comprising a bodydefining a space inside thereof and at least one opening, the methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   fastening the body to a desired position in a support device in        which at least one photoconductor is fitted such that the        photoconductor settles at the at least one opening defined by        the body;    -   supporting the body with the support device to the desired        position; emitting light in said space;    -   conducting said light via the photoconductor to the outside of        the radio device.

In the following, the invention will be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first configuration of an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second configuration of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows a first configuration of an embodiment of the invention,wherein a base station unit 10 is being coupled to a base 20 in a firstposition. The base station unit 10 is a Bluetooth radio access pointdevice operating at a frequency of about 2.45 GHz. The base station unit10 is approximately in the shape of a tile, its dimensions(length×width×depth) being 10×8×5 cm. The base station unit 10 is fittedto be used in the upright position and the base 20 is fitted to supportthe base station unit to the right position both in wall and in deskinstallations.

One lateral surface of the base station unit 10 is provided with athinned part having an about 1-cm deep recess of the width of the entireunit. The recess is defined by the end of the base station unit andextends to about 3 cm from it. At the recess, the surface of the thinnedlateral surface, i.e. bottom 12, forms, at a distance from the end ofthe base station unit, an array of openings having five rectangularfirst openings 14 grouped at uniform intervals.

The base 20 comprises a photoconductor part 22 and a background part 23.The base serves to support the base station unit 10 to its position ofuse (in this example upright) when the base station unit is beinginstalled on a wall or desk according to the user's choice. A radioaccess point device should be installed once in a suitable place in aset of rooms, after which it is not necessarily moved at all, or movedonly when refurnishing or when there is a need to change the coveragearea of the radio access point device.

The background part 23 is a plate intended to serve as a support surfacefor desk installation of the base station unit and as a wall mountingplate for wall installation. The photoconductor part 22 comprises fivephotoconductor bars 24 having a rectangular profile. The photoconductorbars are substantially parallel and in line with the level of thebackground part, at an about 4-cm distance from the level of thebackground part. The photoconductor bars 24 are of transparent plasticand they are fitted to settle narrowly in the first openings 14. Thephotoconductor bars comprise two ends: an end fitted to settle narrowlyin the openings and a wedge part 26, which is fitted to penetrate thesurface of the photoconductor part and whose structure and operationwill be described later.

FIG. 2 is another view of the configuration of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows anend 28 of the photoconductor part and a body counter surface 11, i.e. awall beside the recess, against which wall the end 28 rests when thebody is coupled to the base (see FIG. 3). FIG. 2 also shows the surfacesof the thinned lateral side of the base station unit. A cutting face 16of the recess constitutes a second row of openings, comprising fiverectangular second openings 18 grouped at uniform intervals, in the sameway as the photoconductor bars 24. The second row of openings isintended for a second configuration shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 2 also shows that the photoconductor bars extend from the end 28such a distance that, in the configuration of FIG. 3, the photoconductorbars extend through the first openings 14, but do not extend too farinside the first openings so that the photoconductor bars 24 could harmthe indicator lamps inside the body. The photoconductor bars are alsofastened by friction to the body at the first openings 14.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of FIG. 1 with the base station unit 10fastened to the base 20. The photoconductor bars 24 of the base areinserted in the first openings 14. The photoconductor bars lock the basestation unit with respect to the base so that the base station unitstands better when arranged on the horizontal plane with the base 20.FIG. 3 also shows that the wedge part 26 of the photoconductor bars 24forms a light surface sloping downwards away from the base station unit.In this first configuration, the wedge part serves to conduct light viaa photoconductor from the base station unit on a desk towards the eyesof a user standing in the vicinity or seated at a desk.

FIG. 4 shows a second configuration according to an embodiment of theinvention. The base 20 is turned to the upright position such that thebackground part 23 settles behind the base station unit 10. When thebase station unit 10 is lowered, the photoconductor part 22 settles ontothe recess of the base station unit. An end plate 29 that settlesagainst the end 19 of the base station unit is arranged between thebackground part and the photoconductor part.

FIG. 5 shows a second configuration of FIG. 4 with the base station unit10 coupled to the base 20. The base station unit is preferably placedhigh up, e.g. at 2 metres, and fastened to the wall of a room. Whenplaced high up, the base station unit has an unobstructed connection tothe radio devices in its vicinity, since furniture and domesticappliances often remain below the straight line between the base stationand the radio device using it.

On the other hand, when the base station unit is placed high up, theindicator lights radiating straight ahead would be poorly visible, butthe photoconductors 26 turn the indicator lights obliquely downward sothat they are better visible to a user in the vicinity of the basestation unit. The base 20 is intended to be fastened to the wall beforethe base station unit is fitted to the base. This allows easy and safewall installation of the base station unit.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the base station unit 10 and the base 20 ofFIG. 5 at a photoconductor 24. The photoconductor bar 24 is inserted ina second opening 18. A circuit board 30 is arranged inside the basestation unit 10. A directional laterally radiating surface antenna 34 isarranged on the circuit board. A light source 32, e.g. a LED lamp or alaser diode, is fastened to the circuit board in the vicinity of thefirst opening 14. Light from the light source 32 propagates through thefirst opening 14 beyond the wedge part 26 of the photoconductor bar, isimmersed in the wedge part and deflected from the wedge part obliquelydownwards as was described above in connection with FIG. 5. Similarly,in the first configuration the end of the photoconductor bar 24 settlesin the immediate vicinity of the light source 32 and conducts light fromthe light source to the wedge part, from which the light is deflectedobliquely upwards as was described above in connection with FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 also shows that the second openings 18 serve as fastening partsfor locking the photoconductors to the body. Instead of openings, inalternative embodiments the body comprises tight guides, slots and otherholders for the photoconductors for fastening the photoconductors to thebody.

For example the keys or the display of a radio device may also beilluminated in accordance with the invention. However, the invention isparticularly useful in displaying indicator lights, since in that caseseveral independent lights have to be displayed.

The implementation and the embodiments of the invention were discussedherein by means of examples. It is apparent to a person skilled in theart that the invention is not restricted to the details of theembodiments presented above and that the invention may be implemented inanother form without deviating from the characteristics of theinvention. For example the number and shape (profile) of thephotoconductor bars 24 may be changed, a rigid band or a steel wire loopmay replace the background part and/or end plate. The size and shape ofthe radio device (base station unit) may also vary from what wasdescribed above. Thus the embodiments presented should be seen asillustrative, not restrictive. The implementation and use of theinvention are only limited by the attached claims. Thus the differentembodiments of the invention, including equivalent embodiments, asdefined by the claims, are within the scope of the invention.

1. A radio device comprising: a body defining a space inside thereof andat least one opening; at least one light source for emitting light,placed in the space at the at least one opening provided in the body; apart configured to be fastened to the body; and at least onephotoconductor fitted to the part; wherein the part is fitted to beattached to the body by the photoconductor so that the photoconductorsettles at the at least one opening and at least partly outside thespace, and wherein the photoconductor is shaped such that it turns theemitted light from the at least one light source obliquely downward inwall installation and obliquely upwards in desk installation of theradio device while arranging the body in a substantially same position.2. The radio device in claim 1, wherein the part configured to befastened to the body is fitted to be fastened with a quick fastener. 3.The radio device in claim 1, comprising at least one circuit board inthe space inside the body, wherein the at least one light source isinstalled on the circuit board.
 4. The radio device in claim 1,comprising an antenna, the antenna being arranged substantiallydirectional in the horizontal direction.
 5. The radio device in claim 4,wherein the antenna is arranged on the circuit board.
 6. The radiodevice in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a recess for thephotoconductor so that the photoconductor settles substantially flushwith level of the body.
 7. The radio device in claim 1, wherein theradio device is a radio access point device.
 8. The radio device inclaim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises an indicatorlamp.
 9. A radio device comprising: a body defining a space insidethereof and at least one opening; at least one light source for emittinglight, placed at the at least one opening provided in the body; asupport device configured to support the body in the desired position,the body being fitted to be fastened to the support device at least twodifferent angles with respect to the support device; and at least onephotoconductor fitted to the support device, the photoconductor beingarranged to settle at the at least one opening defined by the body whenthe support device is fastened to the body, and for conducting the lightemitted by the said-at least one light source via the photoconductor tothe outside of the radio devices, wherein the photoconductor is shapedsuch that the light emitted by the at least one light source is turnedobliquely downward in wall installation and obliquely upwards in deskinstallation of the radio device while arranging the body in asubstantially same position.
 10. The radio device in claim 9, comprisingat least one circuit board in the space inside the body, wherein the atleast one light source is installed on the circuit board.
 11. The radiodevice in claim 9, comprising an antenna, the antenna being arrangedsubstantially directional in the horizontal direction.
 12. The radiodevice in claim 11, wherein the antenna is arranged on the circuitboard.
 13. The radio device in claim 9, wherein the photoconductorcomprises an end fitted to be arranged in the opening for fastening thebody at a first angle to the support device and for receiving light fromthe light source to the photoconductor.
 14. The radio device in claim 9,wherein the support device is made of a transparent material so that thephotoconductor constitutes an integrated part of the support device. 15.The radio device in claim 9, wherein the body is fitted to be detachablyattached to the support device.
 16. The radio device in claim 9, whereinthe support device comprises a number of protruding photoconductors andthe body comprises corresponding openings for fastening the supportdevice to the body.
 17. The radio device in claim 9, wherein the supportdevice comprises grooves fitted to a screw head for fastening thesupport device to a wall with screw fastening.
 18. A radio devicecomprising: a body defining a space inside thereof and at least oneopening; at least one light source for emitting light, placed at the atleast one opening provided in the body; a support device configured tosupport the body in the desired position, the body being fitted to befastened to the support device at least two different angles withrespect to the support device; and at least one photoconductor fitted tothe support device, the photoconductor being arranged to settle at theat least one opening defined by the body when the support device isfastened to the body, and for conducting the light emitted by the atleast one light source via the photoconductor to the outside of theradio device; wherein the body comprises a fastening part, the fasteningpart being fitted to be fastened to the photoconductor for fastening thebody to the support device at a second angle, and the fastening part isfitted to direct the photoconductor at the opening for receiving lightfrom the at least one light source to the photoconductor via theopening.
 19. A method of displaying light with a radio device comprisinga body defining a space inside thereof and at least one opening, themethod comprising: fastening to the body a part configured to befastened to the body and comprising at least one photoconductor suchthat the photoconductor settles at the at least one opening and at leastpartly outside the space; emitting light in the space towards the atleast one opening; conducting the emitted light via the photoconductorto the outside of the radio device, wherein the emitted light is turnedobliquely downward in wall installation and obliquely upwards in deskinstallation of the radio device while arranging the body in asubstantially same position; and using the photoconductor to fasten thepart to the body.
 20. A method of displaying light with a radio devicecomprising a body defining a space inside thereof and at least oneopening, the method comprising: fastening the body to a desired positionin a support device in which at least one photoconductor is arrangedsuch that the photoconductor settles at the at least one opening definedby the body; supporting the body with the support device to the desiredposition; emitting light in the space; conducting the light via thephotoconductor to the outside of the radio device, wherein the light isturned obliquely downward in wall installation and obliquely upwards indesk installation of the radio device while arranging the body in asubstantially same position.